Day 24

[About the Writings of the Bible]
Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture [the Bible] that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather from human beings [who] moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. [2 Peter 1:20-21]

Apostolic Witness

We [the disciples] did not follow cleverly deceived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while were with him [Jesus] on the holy mountain. [ 2 Peter 1:16-19]


False Teachers Denounced

Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile glorious beings, whereas angels, despite their superior strength and power, do not bring a reviling judgment against them from the Lord. But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed, suffering wrong as payment for wrong doing. [2 Peter 2:11-13]

Warning Against False Doctrine

I repeat the request I made of you when I was on my way to Macedonia, that you stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines or to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the plan of God that is to be received by faith. The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, wanting to be teachers of the of the law, but without understanding neither what they are saying nor what they assert with such assurance. [1 Timothy 1:3-7]

Testing the Spirits

Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us [scriptures (of the Bible)], while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit. [1 John 4:1-6]

Warning Against Useless Disputes

Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription "The Lord knows who are his"; and"Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."

So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. Avoid foolish and ignorant debates, for you know that they breed quarrels. A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant, correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them [Bible study note:teachers of false doctrine] repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth, and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare where they are entrapped by him, for his will. [2 Timothy 2:14-14, 19 & 23-26]

Confession and Intercession

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three hundred years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.

Conversion of Sinners

My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. [James 5:16-20]